WATCH: ‘People have to have an open mind’ – Simon Coveney on Ireland backing EU withdrawal extension for UK

WATCH: ‘People have to have an open mind’ – Simon Coveney on Ireland backing EU withdrawal extension for UK

Ireland would “absolutely” support Britain if it asked for an extension to the Article 50 timetable for leaving the European Union, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said today.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, 2019 after it formally notified the bloc of Britain’s intention to leave the EU by triggering Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty in March 2017.

Coveney said that the timetable for departure could be changed if the EU and Britain agreed to do so. Asked if he would support a British request for an extension, he said: “absolutely”.